Alcoholism in the Us

Our Nation has faced problems with alcohol since before the Civil War. Movements trying to ban the consumption of alcohol died down as more pressing problems built up to the Civil War. After the war was over a growing women's movement started to focus on banning alcohol to protect families and their everyday lives. The women gained support from a lot of protestant churches, which helped launch their campaign in the 1880's. Some states adopted the statewide laws, which banned the consumption of alcohol, but prohibition really caught on during World War 1. Most breweries were German owned which led to hostility towards them and many believed the manufacturing of alcohol diverted grain which was needed in the war effort. Prohibition as a whole is considered by most as a failure, because it started the underground distribution of un-taxed alcohol, which increased organized crime and political corruption.

Present Problems

The major problem we focus on in America is underage drinking. Instead of teaching teenagers responsible drinking and not driving if they do, we decide to teach them that alcohol is poison and a gateway drug to marijuana and other hard drugs.

Alcohol itself is seen as a neutral substance - neither good nor bad in itself. It's not a poison and it's not a magic elixir that can solve peoples' problems. It's how alcohol is used that is important. If children are introduced to alcohol by their parents and family they are less likely to abuse it and learn their limits. People learn how to drink from an early age within the safe and supporting environment of the home. They don't learn how to drink from their friends and acquaintances, which aren't looking out for their best interests. Common sense suggests that it's better to learn how to drink in the parent's house than in the fraternity house.

Another big problem that pops up is how to face it as a parent. More than likely your child is going to drink sometime as they grow up. The sensible way to approach it would be by teaching safe and responsible drinking, but instead we try and set rules against it. Five lessons parents can give their kids to prepare for when they drink are:

Don't drink and drive.

Don't ride with anyone who has been drinking; be a designated driver.

Don't operate equipment, climb ladders, boat, or engage in similar activities, when drinking.

Don't become intoxicated; being drunk involves an element of risk.

Don't participate in drinking games or drinking contests

Advantages of Alcohol

It is scientifically proven that alcohol can improve you health. Moderate drinking can actually raise the levels of good cholesterol by as much as 20% if the person maintains a normal diet and with regular exercise. Alcohol is also known to thin out the blood to keep a steady flow throughout your body.

Drinking Age

As a nation we have the highest drinking age in the world at twenty one. We believe you can purchase a firearm, use tobacco, and consensually have sex at the age of eighteen but not take a sip of alcohol until three years later. You can be drafted into a war, shipped over seas, and killed in battle all before you can drink a beer in a restaurant. Teenagers are going to drink no matter what laws